EBA strengthens partnership with lawmakers

The
large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) on Wednesday convened a daylong
sensitisation programme for legislators of the National Assembly Select
Committee on Environment. This meet was designed to build their technical
capacity on the project.

The
EBA seeks to develop a climate-resilient and natural resource-based economy to
build climate resilience of poor communities in Lower River, Central River
South, Central River North and Upper River Regions by improving rural
landscapes and sustainable management of Gambian natural resources, targeting
33 communities.

The
entire project includes mangrove restoration in 17 communities in Lower River
Region – covering 530 hectares and 12, 000 bags of propagules; with 1000
propagules per bag. The project targets 12 million propagules in total within 6
years. The project is expected to benefit more than 125 communities in the
three regions.

Officials
say that the project will equally facilitate the development of a sustainable
natural resource-based (green) economy by implementing large-scale EbAs within
and adjacent to agricultural lands, community-managed forest reserves and
wildlife conservation areas.

Abubacarr
Jallow, the principal climate change officer, at the Ministry of Environment,
Climate Change and Natural Resources described The Gambia as one of the 100
most vulnerable countries to climate change.

He
said that The Gambia is a lowland country and therefore one of the challenges
she faces is coastal erosion due to unplanned urbanization. “Climate change is
real and it’s here to stay,” he warns.

Mr.
Jallow equally highlighted significant achievements and gains the country has
made since 1992; such as building resilience and indentifying priorities.

“The
National Assembly is very important but they need to have technical capacity to
effectively do their job,” he stated. He added that response to climate change
requires holistic approach and general participation.

Lamin
Nyangado, EBA’s project manager said the project deems it very prudent to
gather and expose legislators particularly the Select Committee on Environment
to large-scale Eco-based Adaptation as they play significant role in
governance.

“The
power of the National Assembly is phenomenal,” he said, pointing out that they
constitute the highest body in governance.

Salmina
E. Jobe, director of Centralised Project Coordination Unit at the Ministry of
Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources said the project is a yearold
since its inception with funding from the Green Climate Fund.

He
described lawmakers as great role models that people look up to in terms of
governance, as they constitute one of the highest governing bodies in the
country. He lavished praise on deputies“You are great role models that people
look up to for national development,”